Nigerians have been urged to exercise tolerance so as to derive strength from the different religions, variety of tribes, dialects and cultures in sustaining the corporate existence of the country.

Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, made the call in his independence anniversary message.

He said that resilience, patriotism, mutual tolerance, honesty and the ability to shun divisive tendencies were essential to development, which the country needs.

Ochei said: “As a people, we must all renew our faith in our common national project and the brotherhood that defines the desire for an accomplished nationhood, in spite of our marked differences in tribe and tongue.”

He urged Nigerians not to lament lost opportunities, but to rather resolve to work on the core values of patience, peaceful disposition, consistency, honest hard work and reasonable sacrifices for the overall good of the country.